Gaston Bachelard: Critic of Science and the Imagination (Routledge Studies in Twentieth-Century Philosophy)

Chimisso, Cristina

ISBN 10: 0415269059 / ISBN 13: 9780415269056

Published by Routledge, 2001

About this Item

In this new study, Cristina Chimisso explores the work of the French philospher of science, Gaston Bachelard by situating it within French cultural life of the first half of the twentieth century. Series: Routledge Studies in Twentieth Century Philosophy. Num Pages: 304 pages, 1 black & white tables. BIC Classification: HPCF. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 234 x 156 x 22. Weight in Grams: 554. . 2001. 1st Edition. hardcover. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780415269056

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Gaston Bachelard: Critic of Science and the Imagination (Routledge Studies in Twentieth-Century Philosophy)
• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415269059
• ISBN 13: 9780415269056
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

In this new study, Cristina Chimisso explores the work of the French Philosopher of Science, Gaston Bachelard (1884-1962) by situating it within French cultural life of the first half of the century. The book is introduced by a study - based on an analysis of portraits and literary representations - of how Bachelard's admirers transformed him into the mythical image of the Philosopher, the Patriarch and the 'Teacher of Happiness'. Such a projected image is contrasted with Bachelard's own conception of philosophy and his personal pedagogical and moral ideas.
This pedagogical orientation is a major feature of Bachelard's texts, and one which deepens our understanding of the main philosophical arguments. The primary thesis of the book is based on the examination of the French educational system of the time and of French philosophy taught in schools and conceived by contemporary philosophers. This approach also helps to explain Bachelard's reception of psychoanalysis and his mastery of modern literature. Gaston Bachelard: Critic of Science and the Imagination thus allows for a new reading of Bachelard's body of work, whilst at the same time providing an insight into twentieth century French culture.

About the Author

Christina Chimisso is lecturer in European Studies at the department of Philosophy, Open University, UK